Detector Technology for Gravitational-Wave Astrophysics

该奖项支持相对论和相对论天体物理学的研究，并解决了NSF“宇宙之窗”大理念的优先领域。人类对引力波宇宙的探索始于2015年美国国家科学基金会对两个黑洞碰撞的高级LIGO观测。这一突破开启了天体物理学的一场革命，这场革命仍在进行中，直接由探测器的灵敏度驱动。该项目解决了地球引力探测器中最具限制性的噪声：量子噪声，热噪声和许多与致动器相关的低频噪声耦合。其目标是使Advanced LIGO能够克服当前的量子和热噪声限制，并与LIGO实验室合作解决低频下的各种噪声源，使引力波探测器能够继续揭开宇宙的奥秘。该奖项资助i）开发和部署新型相位波前传感器，用于表征和控制引力波中的光波前，具有高臂腔激光功率的波干涉仪，ii）支持高级LIGO A+的高功率操作和提高灵敏度，为O4和O5观测运行做准备，iii）集成新晶体光学涂层（AlGaAs）的研究和设计工作，测试质量致动器和波前控制元件，O5 Advanced LIGO和Cosmic Explorer。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估而被认为值得支持。

This award supports research in relativity and relativistic astrophysics, and it addresses the priority areas of NSF's "Windows on the Universe" Big Idea. Humankind's exploration of the gravitational-wave universe began with the National Science Foundation's Advanced LIGO observation of the collision of two black holes in 2015. This breakthrough started a revolution in astrophysics that is still ongoing and that is directly driven by the detector's sensitivity. This project tackles the most limiting noise in terrestrial gravitational-detectors: quantum noise, thermal noise, and the numerous actuator-related noise couplings at low frequency. Its goals are to enable Advanced LIGO to overcome the current quantum and thermal noise limitations, and to collaborate with the LIGO Laboratory to address the diverse noise sources at low frequencies, enabling gravitational-wave detectors to continue to unravel the mysteries of the universe.Specifically, this award is funding i) Developing and deploying of novel phase front sensors for characterizing and controlling the optical wave front in gravitational-wave interferometers with a high arm cavity laser power, ii) Support for commissioning high power operations and improved sensitivity for Advanced LIGO A+ in preparation for the O4 and O5 observation runs, and iii) Research and design work for integrating new crystalline optical coatings (AlGaAs), test mass actuators and wave front control elements into post-O5 Advanced LIGO and Cosmic Explorer.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.